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Pro Se Services
Many people simply can’t afford the cost of hiring an attorney to represent them in court. Some, against all advice, insist on representing themselves even though they can afford an attorney. And yes, there are some court proceedings in which attorneys are generally not permitted, such as small claims matters (claims alleging financial or property damages of no more than $10,000).
A party representing themselves in court is known as a pro se party or pro se litigant, meaning a party or litigant “for oneself”. Pro se parties often make costly, even damaging, mistakes when preparing or filing pleadings or when presenting their case before the court. Filing the wrong document or improperly preparing a document can easily result in a summary dismissal and a waste of filing fees, while failing to adequately present one's case can result in serious disaster, both legally and financially. |
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
― Benjamin Franklin |
Accordingly, we strongly recommend all parties hire an attorney to represent them. Yes, competent attorneys can be expensive, but the cost of losing in court is often far greater. Please take this advice seriously.
Still, we all face real limitations in our lives and some of those limitations can be financial. So, for those who cannot afford representation in court we offer affordable legal advice, document assistance, and trial preparation to pro se parties. We will review your case, help you understand how your case is or is not supported by the law, and help you prepare to effectively present your case in court to the best of your ability.
Still, we all face real limitations in our lives and some of those limitations can be financial. So, for those who cannot afford representation in court we offer affordable legal advice, document assistance, and trial preparation to pro se parties. We will review your case, help you understand how your case is or is not supported by the law, and help you prepare to effectively present your case in court to the best of your ability.
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Formal, Traditional Domestic Relations Trials – If you can’t afford representation, we can help you prepare to present and defend your case in court.
We will critically evaluate your circumstances, considering the law and the likelihood of the court agreeing with what you want. We will also help you understand the basics of court etiquette, how to behave, how to address the court, how to call and question witnesses, and how to prepare and introduce evidence. And, perhaps most importantly, we will give you guidance on just how to present your case in a way that gives the court the information needed to support your interests. Informal Domestic Relations Trials (IDRT) – We also offer trial preparation for those who have chosen to address their matter through an IDRT, an informal type of trial in which parties and the judge address one another directly. While IDRTs may not be as formal as traditional trials, the need for parties to understand how the law can or will address their case remains critical to success. Remember, whether a case is argued in a formal trial or in an IDRT, the stakes are just as high and the potential consequences are just as serious. 
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Small Claims Trials – Don’t be fooled! Small claims cases require careful planning and clear argument to win. You will be expected to present your case in as little as 15 minutes. That’s right, you might well have no more than 15 minutes in which to address the court, including your direct argument, witness examination and cross-examination, and rebuttals to statements made by the opposing party.
You must prove real damages in order to receive a money award; you must be able to identify how and why the law supports your claim for such damages; you must understand what evidence can or can’t be considered, how it must be presented, and how to ask the judge to consider it in relation to your claim. So, no surprise, the most prepared party generally prevails. From helping you understand the legal basis for your claim to forms completion and evidence/exhibit preparation, we’ll help you get to court prepared to win. Forms Completion Assistance – Many legal documents are prepared by the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) and provided by your local court as “forms”. While some of these forms are self-explanatory, others can be confusing and difficult. Moreover, even if a party is accustomed to filling out “government” forms, OJD forms should be completed with a legal understanding of their specific purpose and consequences. The clerks at the local courthouse are not allowed to give legal advice, so pro se parties are left to correctly identify the right forms for their case and fill them out according to their best understanding of the law. No need for making your best guess. We’re here to help. |
Marital or Domestic Partnership Dissolution, Custody and Parenting Plans – We offer assistance with OJD forms packets.
Restraining Orders – We assist with forms completion for a wide variety of protective order applications, including initial applications, renewals, modifications, and challenges.
Small Claims Forms – Small claims matters require careful forms completion in order to win in court. We’ll help you complete your small claims forms correctly.
Please see our Resource page for links to many of these forms.
Restraining Orders – We assist with forms completion for a wide variety of protective order applications, including initial applications, renewals, modifications, and challenges.
Small Claims Forms – Small claims matters require careful forms completion in order to win in court. We’ll help you complete your small claims forms correctly.
Please see our Resource page for links to many of these forms.